Radio and Television Personalities S

Sabrina
1936 - 2016

Showgirl who found fame appearing on Arthur Askey's (qv) show on BBC TV in which she filled the role of dumb blonde. Also in variety and was for a time a British celebrity. Real name Norma Sykes.

Leonard Sachs
1909 - 1990

South African-born actor perhaps best known as the chairman of 'The Good Old Days' music hall, broadcast on TV from the City Varieties Theatre, Leeds in which he announced each act with ever-increasingly extrav-agantly worded introductions. Also appeared in films and radio and TV plays/series. Married, Eleanor Summerfield (qv).

Freddie Sales
1920 - 1994

Northern comedian who appeared in 'Variety Bandbox' on radio. In 'Educating Archie' series on ITV in 1958.

Edna Savage
1936 - 2000

Singer who appeared on radio with the Northern Variety Orchestra. On TV in 'Showcase' and made many records.

Joan Savage
1934 -

With husband Ken Morris (qv) she was part of a double act playing in variety and in 'The Arthur Haynes Show' on ATV in 1957. After the death of her husband appeared in musicals and on radio (in 'Friday Night Is Music Night') and on TV.

Albert Saveen
1915 - 1994

Ventriloquist who, like Peter Brough (qv) had his own radio show. Later on television, dressed in top hat and tails with his most popular doll, Daisy May, plus a talking dog and a real one.

Lesley Saweard
1934 -

Former school teacher who became an actress, playing Christine Archer, now Christine Barford, in BBC's 'The Archers' radio serial from 1953.

Paul Scofield
1922 - 2008

Distinguished actor on stage and screen who has also appeared in some televison plays.

Margaretta Scott
1912 - 2005

Actress who was heard on pre-war radio in Shakespearean roles. Also seen in films and in many TV roles as aristocratic or haughty ladies. Played Mrs Pumphrey in BBC TV's 'All Creatures Great And Small'.

(Sir) Peter Scott
1909 - 1989

Son of Robert Falcon Scott (of the Antarctic) he was a keen ornithologist also interested in conservation. Presented TV natural history programmes like 'Look' and commentated for BBC radio on important events.

Terry Scott
1927 - 1994

Actor who became a comedian and appeared with Bill Maynard (qv) in TV's 'Great Scott, It's Maynard'. When the act broke up, Terry had a successful show with Hugh Lloyd, 'Hugh and I' and was in 'Terry And June' with June Whitfield (qv). Also in some of the 'Carry On' films.

(Sir) Harry Secombe
1921 - 2001

Welsh-born popular comedian and singer who began at the Windmill Theatre. Devised 'The Goon Show', originally called 'Crazy People', with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan (both qv). Toured in variety and later appeared in musicals on stage. Presented the religious prog-ramme 'Highway' on ITV in later years.

Elizabeth Sellars
1921 - 2019

Scots-born actress who has appeared on stage, screen and frrequently on television.

Peter Sellers
1925 - 1980

Popular comedian and actor who was an original member of 'The Goon Show' on radio in the 1950's. Also appeared in 'Ray's A Laugh' as Russian Serge Suit. Later famous for his film roles, especially the Pink Panther series and he made some records as well as frequent TV appearances.

Albert Semprini
1908- 1990

A pianist whose popularity on radio's 'Semprini Serenade', beginning in 1957, lasted for 25 years. Played popular classical and light music, 'old ones, new ones, forgotten ones'.

(Sir) Bruce Seton)
1909 - 1969

Indian-born actor who began in the theatre and became well known as Detective Superin-tendent Robert Fabian in 'Fabian Of Scotland Yard', an early crime series on BBC TV in 1954. In many films and other television parts.

(Sir) Jimmy Shand
1908 - 2000

Scots-born accordian player, composer and dance band leader. Made many records and performed regul-arly on radio and TV, including BBC's 'The White Heather Club' with his Scottish Country Dance Band. A popular and acclaimed musician who played over many decades.

Cyril Shaps
1923 - 2003

Actor who appeared regularly on radio, TV and in films. Seen in 'Never Mind The Quality, Feel the Width' and 'The Liver Birds'.

Sebastian Shaw
1905 - 1994

Though primarily a stage actor, he also broadcast and appeared in films.

George Shearing
1919 - 2011

Piano player who achieved fame in the UK before moving to the USA in the 1940's. He was heard on BBC radio before then and has become famous playing jazz oriented music (among other styles) . Has played solo or as part of a trio or quartet and also with top singers like Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee.

Norman Shelley
1903 - 1980

Stage actor whose better-known broadcasts both before and after the war were almost all confined to the radio. Played the title role in BBC radio's adaptation of the Winnie-the- Pooh stories and in other Children's Hour series. Also in a radio mid-fifties adaptation of 'The Lord Of The Rings', as well as playing Colonel Danby in 'The Archers. Some TV parts too.

Anne Shelton
1928 - 1994

Singer very popular in the forties and fifties after having entertained troops during the war. Toured America and had a hit record in the UK, Lay Down Your Arms. Later often sang for charities.

Joy Shelton
1922- 2000

Actress who played PC 49's girlfriend, later wife, in the radio series of that name. In 'My Wife Jacqueline', an early fifties' radio comedy and later in 'Roots', an ATV comedy. In several films, some with her husband, actor Sydney Tafler (qv).

Michael Shepley
1907 - 1961

Actor who made an appearance on TV in the late forties in the comedy 'Family Affairs' and later in the American series 'Dick And The Duchess' in 1957. Also appeared in stage farce and on Broadway and in some films.

Ronald Shiner
1903 - 1966

Many stage, film and television appearances, generally as a Cockney comedy character. Associated with farces like Dry Rot in the 1950s.

Helen Shingler
1919 - 2019

Actress who became popular as Madame Maigret in the BBC TV series 'Maigret'. Also in 'Portrait Of Alison', a 1950s thriller and the TV series from 1978, 'Enemy At The Door'.

Hugh Shortt
1917 - 1981

Curator at Salisbury Museum who appeared on the TV panel of 'Animal, Vegetable, Mineral' in the 1950s and who broadcast frequently.

Victor Silvester
1900 - 1978

Dance band leader who achieved big popularity on records and on TV. Also interested in dancing and won a ballroom contest, forming the BBC Dancing Club, first heard on radio in 1941.

Ronald Simpson
1896 - 1957

Actor on stage and in films who also broadcast often.

Barry Sinclair
1911 - 1983

Actor who appeared in many stage, film and television roles.

Hugh Sinclair
1903 - 1962

Actor who appeared in many Shaw plays and on TV in the series 'The Royalty' in 1957 and in 'A Life Of Bliss' in 1961 with George Cole (qv).

(Sir) Donald Sinden
1923 - 2014

Popular actor who found fame in the films 'The Cruel Sea' and 'Doctor In The House' in the 1950s after being a Shakesperian actor. His distinctive voice is immediately rec-ognisable. In the TV series 'Two's Company' and 'Never The Twain'.

Daphne Slater
1928 - 2012

Actress who appeared on radio and TV as well as on stage. In 'Pride And Prejudice' in 1952 and played the title role in a BBC television production of 'Jane Eyre' in 1956 in which Stanley Baker (qv) appeared as Mr Rochester. Also in 'Elizabeth R' in 1971 as Mary I.

John Slater
1916 - 1975

Actor who played character roles and in stage farce. A storyteller on TV, appearing in 'Johnny's Place' in 1955 and in 'Jackanory' in 1970, and had an acting role in Z Cars from 1967 to 1974.

Cyril Smith
1909 - 1974

Middlesbrough-born pianist who played the piano in many radio and TV programmes, sometimes playing duets with his wife Phyllis Selleck. After losing the use of left arm in 1956 he continued to play three-handed duets with his wife.

The Smith Brothers
Alfred 1911 - ; Stanley 1913 - ; Harold 1917 - ; Roy 1919 -

Newcastle-born brothers (originally five), who formed a vocal group and were popular on radio. Also made records and toured the music halls.

John Snagge
1904 - 1996

Announcer, newsreader and commentator, another of those instantly recog-nisable voices who announced important events and was commentator at the 1937 and 1953 coronations. Held several BBC administrative posts and occasionaly apeared on 'The Goon Show'. Commentated on the Boat Race for fifty years.

Roger Snowdon
1914 - 1986

Actor sho appeared in BBC repertory and on 'Up The Pole' and 'House-wive's Choice' on radio and in 'Jane Eyre' and The Buccaneers' series (1956) on TV.

Nancy Spain
1917 - 1964

Newcastle-born jounalist and writer who appeared on radio and TV. Broadcast on radio on 'Woman's Hour' and on TV in 'What's My Line' and 'Juke Box Jury'.

Robert Speaight
1904 - 1976

Actor who played many roles on radio and TV and had a few film parts. Wrote essays and criticism and books on theatre and biographies.

Jeremy Spenser
1937 -

Actor who became popular in films and theatre in the 1950s and was in some TV plays. After a few minor roles he then disappeared from the profession.

Dennis Spicer
1936 - 1964

Ventriloquist, and one of the very best, with his dummy James Green he often appeared on TV and in variety in its twilight years.

Dorothy Squires
1915 - 1998

Welsh-born singer who first appeared on radio in 1945 and was one of the most popular singing stars of the 1940s and 50s. She made many records and toured in variety. On radio in 'Variety Bandbox' and on TV in 'Variety Parade' she continued to perform in later decades with appearances at the London Palladium and other big venues.

Rosemary Squires
1928 -

Singer who began singing with bands and made her TV debut in ITV's 'Chance Of A Lifetime'. Appeared in television's 'Let's Stay Home' with comedian Reg Dixon (qv) and in radio and TV shows of her own. Has done many advertising jingles, including the Fairy Liquid ad 'Hands that do dishes...'. Appearances in variety and concerts complete this popular artist's career.

Cyril Stapleton
1914 - 1974

Well-known orchestra leader and conductor with the BBC Show Band playing popular music, he broadcast regularly and made many records.

The Stargazers

A vocal group formed in 1949 with Marie Benson, Cliff Adams, Bob Brown, Fred Dachtler and Ronnie Milne in the line-up. They first broadcast in that year on radio's 'The Forces Show'. Dave Carey stepped in for Ronnie Milne who had left and Marie Benson was replaced by Eula Parker and later by June Marlowe. Appeared on the 'Show Band Show' with Cyril Stapleton (qv) from 1953 and made popular records.

Graham Stark
1922 - 2013

Comedy actor who has appeared in a great many TV shows. Starting in radio with 'Happy Go Lucky', 'Ray's A Laugh', Educating Archie' and 'The Goon Show' he appeared on television in shows like 'Son Of Fred' and in 1964 had his own show 'The Graham Stark Show'.

Karel Stepanek
1899 - 1980

Czech-born actor who was a political commentator for the BBC during the war. Making his stage debut in 1941 he played many character roles on stage, TV and in films, often as smooth villains.

Doreen Stephens
1909 - 1965

Stockton-on-Tees-born singer with the Jack Hylton Orchestra, the Squadronaires and then radio's 'The Billy Cotton Band Show' from 1950. Later on the TV show of the same name.

Jeanette Sterke
1933 -

Czech-born actress aho graduated from RADA and appeared in TV plays and series episodes and in some films.

Donald Stewart
1910 - 1966

American-born actor who broadcast and appeared on stage and in some films.

A G Street
1892 - 1966

Farmer who wrote on agricultural affairs and app-eared on radio's 'Country Life' and 'Any Questions'.

Fred Streeter
1877 - 1975

Horticulturalist who presented TV's 'Television Garden' in 1951' and was on 'About The Home' in 1951.

Edwin Styles
1899 - 1960

On TV in 'Emney Enterprises' in 1954 to 1957. Also in some films.

Eleanor Summerfield
1921 - 2001

Actress who appeared on stage, radio, TV and films. In TV's 'My Wife's Sister' in 1956 and 'The Two Charleys' with Charlie Chester (qv). Married to Leonard Sachs (qv).

Sheila Sweet
1934 - 2003

Actress who played Pat in TV's 'The Grove Family' in the 1950s and was in 'A Life Of Bliss' on TV in 1960. Married actor Richard Johnson 1957-1962.

Nora Swinburne
1902 - 2000

Actress who was in many films going back to silent days, and app-eared often on radio, including 'A Life Of Bliss' and on TV, including 'The Forsyte Saga' in 1967.

Eric Sykes
1923 - 2012

Popular comedian and sometime scriptwriter who was on TV in 'Sykes' with Hattie Jacques (qv) and in 'Sykes And A ...' in the 1970s. Also in 'Curry And Chips' with Spike Milligan (qv) and in several films.

William Sylvester
1922 - 1995

American-born actor who appeared in several films and in some TV series in the UK, usually as an American.

Sylvia Syms
1934 - 2023

Actress who appeared in 'The Romantic Young Lady' on BBC TV in 1954 and became popular in films. Many TV and radio appearances and lots of stage roles. Later in character parts.